Endless propeller.



No. 707,600. Patented Aug. 26, I902.

A. KUENTZ.

ENDLESS PROPELLER. (Application filed Dec. 21, 1901.,

Patented Aug. 26, I902.

3 Sheets Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

Witnesses.

Patented Aug. 26, I902 A. KUENTZ. ENDLESS PBOPELLER.

(Application filed Dec. 21 9 uuuuuu I.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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"H in 7 7 9 jj ll; f? L llirn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ADA KUENTZ, OF COLBY, WISCONSIN.

ENDLESS PROPELLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,600, dated August 26, 1902.

Application filed December 21, 1901- Serial No. 86,801- (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADAM KUENTZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Colby, in the county of Clark and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Endless Propellers; and'I do hereby declare the following to be a full,"

clear, and exact description of the invention, such as, will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has relation to the class of endless or chain paddle-carriers chiefly designed for propulsion of water craft, although susceptible of use as a current-motor, the purpose being to improve the general construction, whereby the friction is minimized and a maximum percentage of energy utilized.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof, and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective View of an endless paddle-carrier embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, parts being broken broken away. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the paddle. Fig. 4 is a detail section of a part of the upper portion of the carrier, showing the wind-guard cooperating therewith. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail on the line X Xof Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail view of a'modification of a carrier-chain and supporting-wheel. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the form of chain shown in Fig. 6.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The supporting -framework will depend upon the special use and adaptation of the invention;

The endless carrier comprises companion chains having their links pivotally connected by cross-bars 1. The cross-bars also form ties for the chains and have their end portions extended to make positive engagement with notched flanges of the supportingwheels to prevent slipping, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The driver comprises a shaft 2 and flanged wheels 3 and is adapted to be operated by any convenient motive power. The flanges of the wheels 3 are notched at intervals, as shown at 4, to receive the projecting ends of the cross-bars 1, thereby insuring positive engagement between the carrier-chains and the support therefor. p

The idler for supporting the rear portion of the carrrier consists of a shaft 5 and flanged wheels 6, and this idler is mounted for adjustment toward and from the driver to admit of subjecting the carrier to the required degree of tension. The flanges of the wheels 6 are notched, as shown at 7, to receive the projecting endsof the cross-bars 1, although this is not essential. The idler is journaled in a frame 8, mounted to swing from a center in coaxial alinement with the axis of the driver, so as not to vary the. tension of the carrier when adjusting the rear end of the pivoted frame up or down. The shaft 5 is journaled in blocks 9, arranged to slide in openings 10, formed in the side beams of the pivoted frame, the forward ends of said blocks having slots 11 to receive keys 12, by means of which the blocks 9 are adjusted to move the idler the required distance from the driver. Vertical slots 13 are formed in the longitudinal beams of the pivoted frame 8 and intersect with the slots 11 and receive the keys 12. The keys 12, in addition to providing an adjusting means for the blocks 9, serve to hold the latter against lateral displacement by entering the slots 11 thereof, as will be readily comprehended. The pivoted frame 8 is adjusted vertically at its rear end by means of a screw 14 and a nut 15, the latter being connected by a swivel-joint with a side beam of the pivoted frame, was to obviate any binding between the nut and the set-screw in the vertical adjustment of the pivoted frame. The set-screw 14: has a swivel connection with a convenient portion of the main framework and is mounted so as to accommodate itself to the relativeposition of the rear end of the pivoted frame in any adjustment thereof. The pivoted frame is held to the main frame and guided in its arcuate movements by means of a rib 16 and guidegroove 17. The rib 16 and groove 17 are formed on the arc of a circle having the axis of the driver for its center and are constructed to interlock, the rib being of dovetail form in transverse section and the groove 17 being of corresponding shape.

The paddles or blades 18 are of the feathering type, being mounted so as to fold and offer a minimum amount of resistance to their passage from the finishing to the startingpoint of their travel. The paddles are mounted upon the cross-bars 1, so as to turn freely thereon and occupy an approximately vertical position when reaching the lower portion of the carrier and folding into an approximately horizontal position when rotated at the upper portion of the said carrier. Cleats 19 are secured to the front faces of the paddles, near the ends thereof, and are extended a distance beyond the inner or pivotal edges of said paddles and have the projecting ends transversely apertured to receive the crossbars, and the terminal portions cut away, as shown at 20, to admit of the paddles folding close upon the carrier-chains when returning to a starting position. These cut-away portions 20 occupy an upper portion and afford clearance for the outer ends of the cleats 19 of succeeding paddles. The projecting ends of the cleats 19 also serve to prevent the paddles from turning upward when returning to a starting position by trailing upon a guard 21, located parallel with and immediately below the upper portion of the carrier and extending approximately the entire length thereof. This guard 21 has the upper portion at each end made tapering or beveled to facilitate the engagement and disengagement there with of the extended ends of the cleats 19. The guard 21 is mounted'upon the pivoted frame 8, so as always to maintain a fixed relation with reference to the upper portion of the endless paddle-carrier. The paddles'or blades are held in an approximately vertical position either by means of chains or cables 22 or arms 23. The chains or cables 22 are attached at one end to the outer portion of a paddle and at the opposite end to the crossbars immediately in advance of the paddles to which the respective chains are connected. The arms 23 are secured to the rear side or face of the paddles and are adapted to come in contact with the lower side of the links of the carrier-chains and hold the paddles or blades against the action of the water. The driver occupies a relatively higher position than the idler in order to gradually lift the paddles or blades from the water when travcling from rear to front. As the paddles approach the top side of the driver and begin to travel rearward they fold in successive order and are held folded by the extended ends of the parts 19 traveling upon the guard 21, as previously explained.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a wheel 6, having cogs 6 to receive links of a carrier-chain, the latter being composed of block-links a and open links I), the block-links receiving the ends of cross-bars c.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. An endless carrier provided with folding paddles having extensions and a guard arranged parallel with and immediately below the upper portion of the said carrier for the aforementioned extensions of the paddles to travel upon to hold the paddles folded, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination, an endless carrier provided with folding paddles having extensions, rotarysupports for opposite ends of the said carrier, means for adjusting one of the supports vertically to change the horizontal inclination of the carrier, and a guard located parallel with and immediately below the upper portion of the carrier for the aforesaid extensions of the paddles to travel upon to hold said paddles folded, said guard being attached to and movable with the aforesaid rotary support to preserve a fixed position with reference to the carrier, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, an endless carrier comprising companion chains and cross-bars tying the chains and pivotally connecting the links thereof, paddles, cleats. secured to the end portions of the paddles and having their inner ends extended and transversely apertured to receive the cross-bars upon which the paddles are mounted to swing, said cleats having their rear end portions cut away to admit of the paddles folding close, substantially as set forth.

4. In combination, an endless carrier, folding paddles applied to said carrier, and arms secured to the end portions of the paddles and adapted to bear against links of the carrierchains and to hold the paddles in an approximately vertical position, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination, an endless carrier provided with paddles or blades, rotary supports for the end portions of the said carrier, mountings for one of the rotary supports having IIO for one of the said rotary supports, an interlocking rib and groove formed on the are of a circle concentric with the pivotal center of said. frame, and means for adjusting the said pivoted frame consisting of a set-screw and coeperating nut, each having a swivel-mounting, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADAM KUENTZ.

Witnesses:

K. ANDREWS, R. JOHNSTON. 

